Cranfield

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Cranfield - Cranfield

MSN:

2459

YOM:

1940

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

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Pax fatalities:

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Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

500

Circumstances:

The crew departed RAF Cranfield on a training flight. While cruising at low height, the airplane collided with a tree and crashed near Newton Park Farm, about one mile southwest of Turvey. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Crew:
F/O James Frederick Bridge, pilot,
LAC Jack Henry Kissner, pilot.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the pilot was flying less than 100 feet above the ground and had flown into bright sun, which hampered his vision. It was also stated that, although James Bridge had a total of nearly 500 flying hours, he had not had much experience of flying dual in an Oxford and this may have been a contributory factor.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I at RAF Cranfield

Date & Time: Nov 15, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

N5196

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cranfield - Cranfield

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Pax on board:

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Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot was performing a solo night training exercise. Shortly after liftoff, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed in an open field past the runway end. The pilot was slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Crew (35th Squadron):
F/L G. R. Boles.

Probable cause:

Engine failure shortly after rotation.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I in Chellaston

Date & Time: Aug 11, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L1112

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cranfield - Cranfield

MSN:

8395

YOM:

1938

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route, the airplane suffered an engine failure, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing. After landing in a field, the aircraft struck a ditch and came to rest. There were no casualties.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I in Cranfield

Date & Time: Jun 27, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

L1247

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cranfield - Cranfield

MSN:

8530

YOM:

1938

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane belly landed at Cranfield Airport and came to rest. All three crew members evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

It was reported that the undercarriage could bot be lowered on approach as it was jammed for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I in Cranford: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 22, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L1262

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Cranfield - Cranfield

MSN:

8545

YOM:

1938

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew departed RAF Cranfield on a navigation exercice. En route, he encountered poor weather conditions with a hail storm and lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed near Cranford. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O David Shine,
Sgt John Randolph Wiles,
AC2 Frederick George Lewis.

Probable cause:

Loss of control in a hail storm.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I in Gransmoore

Date & Time: Jan 10, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L1114

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cranfield - Cranfield

MSN:

8397

YOM:

1938

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot departed RAF Cranfield on a Command OPEX exercice. For unknown reasons, he was forced to make an emergency landing in Gransmoore. The pilot A. S. L Owensmith was uninjured and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I at RAF West Freugh

Date & Time: Nov 14, 1938

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

L1108

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cranfield – West Freugh

MSN:

8391

YOM:

1938

Location:

West Freugh AFB

Dumfries and Galloway

Country:

United Kingdom

Region:

Europe

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After landing at RAF West Freugh, the crew encountered brakes difficulties. The pilot veered off runway when the left wing collided with the duty pilot's office. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The aircraft overshot the runway and the brakes were ineffective because of the muddy ground.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I near RAF Wigtown

Date & Time: Nov 8, 1938

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L1116

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site: